(June 1, 2017) When the iconic “Boardwalk Elvis” Norman Webb was hospitalized last week, the community came out to support his recovery.
“Lots of people came to visit me [in the hospital]. The place was filling up,” Webb, 77, said days after he was released from Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin. “They like me. I guess I’m a legend, and a legend in my own mind.”
Webb was admitted to the hospital on May 20 for an obstruction in his sarcophagus. He was released and recovered at his brother and sister-in-law’s house in Showell.
“It got to the point where he couldn’t swallow, and he was a little dehydrated,” said his sister-in-law, Joan Webb. “But he’s doing well. He was up and about on Saturday.”
Much like Thrasher’s fries or Fisher’s Popcorn, Webb riding a bicycle or wearing an Elvis jumpsuit has been an Ocean City tradition for decades. Once word spread of his illness, dozens of well-wishers stopped by his hospital room and hundreds sent get well soon cards. Others took to Facebook to share their memories of spotting Webb on the boards.
“He used to have the boom box and play songs of the hits back then, like ‘Wild Thing’ [from the Troggs],” said Tim Gilbert, a longtime friend. “But then someone said he looked a lot like Elvis, and the rest is history with the persona.”
Gilbert also used to put Webb up in his Ocean City house years ago, and even got him invited to the annual Baltimore “Night of 100 Elvises” in 2014.
Once he got there, Gilbert said, Boardwalk Elvis stole the show.
“They honored him, and everyone recognized him. People called him by name, because they knew who he was growing up and they were genuinely happy to see him,” he said. “He was the most photographed Elvis there.”
Nowadays, Webb has cut back on his time on the Boardwalk and makes special appearances for Springfest and Sunfest festivals in the resort. He still continues to ride his bike on Route 589 from Showell to Ocean Pines.
One of Webb’s favorite stops is the Serenity Salon & Spa in Ocean Pines, for coffee and to chat up the employees. Serenity Salon manager Jane Tyler said he stopped in the day after he was released from the hospital.
“He actually looked really good, and he was talking about how many Facebook friends he had,” Tyler said.
She said she first met Webb when she worked at a nail salon near the Boardwalk 20 years ago. When she moved to a place in Ocean Pines, Webb found her again and continued his visits.
“I don’t know how else to describe it, he’s a character. He’s friendly and good with kids, and he’s always welcome here,” Tyler said.
“Lots of people came to visit me [in the hospital]. The place was filling up,” Webb, 77, said days after he was released from Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin. “They like me. I guess I’m a legend, and a legend in my own mind.”
Webb was admitted to the hospital on May 20 for an obstruction in his sarcophagus. He was released and recovered at his brother and sister-in-law’s house in Showell.
“It got to the point where he couldn’t swallow, and he was a little dehydrated,” said his sister-in-law, Joan Webb. “But he’s doing well. He was up and about on Saturday.”
Much like Thrasher’s fries or Fisher’s Popcorn, Webb riding a bicycle or wearing an Elvis jumpsuit has been an Ocean City tradition for decades. Once word spread of his illness, dozens of well-wishers stopped by his hospital room and hundreds sent get well soon cards. Others took to Facebook to share their memories of spotting Webb on the boards.
“He used to have the boom box and play songs of the hits back then, like ‘Wild Thing’ [from the Troggs],” said Tim Gilbert, a longtime friend. “But then someone said he looked a lot like Elvis, and the rest is history with the persona.”
Gilbert also used to put Webb up in his Ocean City house years ago, and even got him invited to the annual Baltimore “Night of 100 Elvises” in 2014.
Once he got there, Gilbert said, Boardwalk Elvis stole the show.
“They honored him, and everyone recognized him. People called him by name, because they knew who he was growing up and they were genuinely happy to see him,” he said. “He was the most photographed Elvis there.”
Nowadays, Webb has cut back on his time on the Boardwalk and makes special appearances for Springfest and Sunfest festivals in the resort. He still continues to ride his bike on Route 589 from Showell to Ocean Pines.
One of Webb’s favorite stops is the Serenity Salon & Spa in Ocean Pines, for coffee and to chat up the employees. Serenity Salon manager Jane Tyler said he stopped in the day after he was released from the hospital.
“He actually looked really good, and he was talking about how many Facebook friends he had,” Tyler said.
She said she first met Webb when she worked at a nail salon near the Boardwalk 20 years ago. When she moved to a place in Ocean Pines, Webb found her again and continued his visits.
“I don’t know how else to describe it, he’s a character. He’s friendly and good with kids, and he’s always welcome here,” Tyler said.